General Debate 22 March 2025

Like this:

Like Loading...

Email
Facebook
Twitter
Comment102

Uncategorized
General Debate

Comments (102)

Login to comment or vote

NeverMindTheBollocks

Who pays tax in NZ?

51% of the $115.4B tax take in 2024 comes from income tax. In the 2020 tax year (the article does not explain why different years were cited) 24% of income tax was paid by 3% of taxpayers.

In the immortal words of Bob Jones, where’s my breakfast in bed from the net tax recipients?

http://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/545634/who-is-actually-paying-the-tax-in-nz-ask-susan
26 2
Log in to Reply
Report
March 22, 2025 8:13am
- peterwn
  
  To which the maid (most probably the Publican’s wife) at the West Coast hotel responded ‘Why don’t you get up, you lazy bastard’ (as told in one of his books).
  
  10 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 11:17am
- Damocles11
  
  The biggest problem is WFF, which has the State basically paying working people for having kids, also invariably meaning businesses pay less wages and salary in the knowledge that taxpayers are paying the difference. It all contributes to New Zealands low wage economy, along with the expectation that people will tax free capital gains on their property(s). Working is seen as just something you do to pass the time during the day. WFF is middle class welfare which is now embedded and can never be removed. The Accomodation Supplement is another rort against taxpayers, pushing up rents and being basically a transfer from the pockets of taxpayers into the pockets of landlords. It’s another prop holding up the property ponzi scheme, another thing that is embedded and can never be removed. It’s all what I term ‘creeping socialism’, things gradually implemented by successive Labour governments which are then never removed, ‘free’ school lunches being the latest incremental step.
  
  10 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 11:31am
  - NeverMindTheBollocks
    
    Never say never, Damo. See Trump, DJ.
    
    3 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 2:14pm
- cmm
  
  Chapter 2: Who consumes all the tax?
  Chapter 3: Why are the next generation of net taxpayers leaving?
  Chapter 4: Oh shit, no more gold-laying geese to slaughter! What now?
  
  15 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 11:41am
  - peterwn
    
    Chapter 9: A birthday present for Nicola – a Scrooge McDuck money bin (full of course) so she can be all things to all people. Donald Trump would probably want to inspect it to dispel any rumours that it is empty.
    
    3 3
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 12:17pm
- Simon
  
  Low wage immigration has been a train wreck for NZ. The master race NZ points system immigration isnt working.
  
  Basically they dont pay their way as 24% of income tax is paid by 3% shows.
  
  7 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 12:48pm
  - NZer In Exile
    
    Simon: “The master race NZ points system”
    
    Could you tell us about the master race points system?
    
    2 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 4:36pm
Grunter

A good summary of the mess that the socialists have caused in Europe. You could add in the Global Boiling energy crisis as well. A sea of sovereign debt ready to collapse….The ponzi is being exposed for all to see. France and Belgium now added to the ‘PIGS’, unplayable debt!

Their big peace/war conference ended a day early in typical Euro-socialist style. No decisions and a slap up dinner paid by the plebs. They couldn’t even agree on who would lead EU peace negotiations. Final decision was “let’s have another meeting in a week” (translation “that was a great dinner, let’s do it again!”)

Anyone who thinks this mob are the leaders of the free world is just not thinking straight. As JD Vance said, they are the problem.

https://www.zerohedge.com/markets/european-chaos-back-eu-leaders-fail-agree-aid-ukraine-german-debt-bonanza-blows-pigs-yields
12 8
Log in to Reply
Report
March 22, 2025 8:36am
- kowtow
  
  They refuse to defend their own borders , how the hell can they imagine they could defend Ukraines .
  
  And if they really believed Russia was the threat they claim it is they’d have abandoned net zero , in order to save that money to increase the spend on defence.
  
  7 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 11:34am
David Garrett

Slow start this am chaps! Must be a lot of comments awaiting moderation I guess…a fine morning up here in the Kingdom…probably going to get sticky later on.
18 1
Log in to Reply
Report
March 22, 2025 8:46am
- Debsta
  
  Very slow indeed
  
  7 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 8:58am
- peterwn
  
  There were only two comments awaiting moderation, so indeed commenters were slow getting out of bed.
  
  6 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 11:19am
  - David Garrett
    
    peter: So you are a moderator mate…Fair enough. As long as you’re not the one who signs him/herself as mod. with a small “m”. That person allowed his or her power to go to their head.
    
    5 2
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 1:14pm
Ra Henare

The Kingdom of Wonder is also fine as I return to the comfort of affordable and relaxed living.

Reading the NewstalkZB website this morning. It shows what a sad negative, small thinking outlet NZME has become.
Looking forward to the revolution, turning it in to a real media company
28 1
Log in to Reply
Report
March 22, 2025 9:03am
Paulus

Tauranga once again is ready for anther day in Paradice.
What a magnificant summer we have had for months.
Football starts today with faavands of young children colliding on the local playing fields which look fabulous.
Have a happy day – all~!
12 1
Log in to Reply
Report
March 22, 2025 9:08am
imalwaysright

How is Random T Person today?
Hope all is well.
17 1
Log in to Reply
Report
March 22, 2025 9:21am
- David Garrett
  
  Im alwys: Me too mate…the fact that he never came back and said he was joking is a bit of a worry.
  
  17 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 11:03am
  - imalwaysright
    
    Fingers crossed.
    
    5 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 11:33am
- Philview
  
  I wondered what you were meaning and had a look through the comments yesterday and read what he said. I tend to use this site to get political views off of my chest so hopefully Random T found sharing his personal situation was helpful.
  
  8 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 12:25pm
Gravelroad

On the way down the road to town on Thursday, the two jokers who are on newstalkzb in the afternoons were saying that it is time NZ’ers stopped whinging about everything and started being more positive about the future.
So I bought a new jacket.
It cost more than I would normally spend.
I am easily led…..
28 1
Log in to Reply
Report
March 22, 2025 9:24am
- AitchW
  
  Gravelroad I don’t know about you, but I find those two a bit lightweight. They sound more like a pair of morning jocks on a music station than talkback hosts.
  I don’t expect deep philosophical discussion from them, but some of the topics they discuss are erging on puerile.
  I wonder if NewstalkZN is aiming for a younger audience in the afternoon?
  I’m looking forward to HDPA’s return, although the guy filling in does a reasonable job.
  
  18 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 9:38am
  - greybeard
    
    Agreed. I think Ryan Bridge is becoming quite a good radio host, and Andrew Dickens as stand-in at 5am has been great. Best program on NewstalkZB for me is “Best of the Country”, 6am Saturdays with Jamie MacKay: great interviews with some great New Zealanders on the land.
    
    12 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 11:04am
    - pdm
      
      Not so sure about Andrew Dickens.
      
      Has Tim Dower retired?
      
      2 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 22, 2025 12:33pm
      - marcw
        
        He no longer appears on the ZB list of contacts, so presumably has retired or left.
        
        3 0
        Report
        March 22, 2025 1:56pm
  - Gravelroad
    
    Where is HDPA anyway?
    Is she coming back to newstalkzb at all?
    Re the chaps on the afternoon slot, one of them is Tyler who used to answer the phones and manage the txts in the back office for Simon Barnett and James Daniels.
    He slowly got to fill in for one of them on air occasionally and is now the “star”.
    He’s ok.
    He inspired me to spend a lot of money on a new jacket ………..to be positive about the future etc etc.
    
    12 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 11:44am
    - kowtow
      
      She having another baby.
      
      6 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 22, 2025 11:55am
    - Philview
      
      I think she is on maternity leave.
      
      6 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 22, 2025 12:35pm
    - Conservatarian
      
      Maternity leave. I think she and Barry Soper had child #2 some time this summer.
      
      5 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 22, 2025 1:00pm
  - pdm
    
    ……………………….I find those two a bit lightweight.
    
    Very lightweight – in fact like a couple of kids sometimes.
    
    In fact NewstalkZB have not had anyone decent in that slot since Chris Carter retired and they have tried more than a few since then.
    
    6 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 12:32pm
    - AitchW
      
      Chris Carter was very tired and cynical toward the end. Danny Wotsisface from kids TV who replaced him was pretty dire.
      
      4 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 22, 2025 2:48pm
- G the giant from Dunedin
  
  It’s good they are calling at Woke as whingers, it’s funny with radio at present , they appear to have stopped the full on leftie assault, maybe not wanting to lose market share. It’s quite noticeable about Bridge, he always appeared to be a woke leftie on news hub, perhaps he worked out they went down because of lefties
  
  4 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 12:39pm
  - Flossie
    
    He never struck me as a leftie. A wee bit the opposite in fact, which was a very pleasant change. Since he left his breakfast TV job I have not watched any morning programme.
    
    6 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 3:32pm
    - Pineapple Lumps
      
      I agree Flossie – he has a Grandmother who liked to debate politics with him growing up. So maybe that rare breed of journalist who will debate a situation from different sides and can keep their own preferences out of it.
      
      1 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 22, 2025 5:35pm
  - Pineapple Lumps
    
    G – they went down because of lefties could also applicable to the current National Party at the next election.
    
    0 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 5:37pm
Jack5

Our mental health hospitals are creaking under maximum stress, and part of the problem is Doocey and activists’ goals of equal emphasis (and spending) on “wellness”.

This is near-ultimate social-welfarism bullshit. Not only will the State provide medical help for those with mental illness, but will prevent it, and make everyone “well.”

What is this “wellness” beyond a feeling?

Gender engineering of adolescents and near-adolescents fits this “wellness” philosophy.
17 1
Log in to Reply
Report
March 22, 2025 9:31am
- PurplePen
  
  I had to look it up as wasn’t sure. Found these definitions below. No wonder our health services bill can’t keep up.
  
  “The Global Wellness Institute defines wellness as the active pursuit of activities, choices and lifestyles that lead to a state of holistic health.”
  
  “Wellness is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being, and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” The World Health Organization. Wellness is an active process of awareness and choices for a healthy and fulfilling life.”
  
  4 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 11:47am
  - NZer In Exile
    
    Can a climate denier or a Trump supporter ever enjoy “wellness”? Asking for a friend.
    
    2 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 4:42pm
- Paulus
  
  When will we be able to get some statistics re the huge exponential increase in our Mental Health sector.
  With some analysis we can look and see where and perhaps why this is happening, despite the hundreds, if not billions being poured in to the sector, as we understand, with no results.
  This is the proverbial mushroom farm –
  Kept in the dark and fed bullshit.
  
  7 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 1:33pm
  - Jack5
    
    Paulus asks in a post at 1.33: “When will we be able to get some statistics re the huge exponential increase in our Mental Health sector?”
    
    2019: Labour’s Grant Robertson at Parliament announces an unprecedented $1.9 billion package for mental health. A further $100 million was added in Labour’s 2022 Budget.
    
    Of $1.1 billion that went solely went on health, nearly half went to putting more than a thousand health advisers into GP practices and other primary care settings under the “Access and Choice Programme.”
    
    Just $235m went to fixing up and building new mental health facilities, increasing inpatient hospital beds by just half a dozen. This at a time Labour had created the proportionately biggest immigration surge since canoes landed on empty beaches a thousand years ago.
    
    A good wrap-up in December on mental health spending:
    
    https://www.rnz.co.nz/programmes/in-depth-special-projects/story/2018918734/what-ever-happened-to-the-dollar2-billion-that-was-poured-into-mental-healthcare
    
    4 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 2:46pm
  - AitchW
    
    2 billion extra under Andrew Little as I recall. Not one more mental health bed.
    Koha, corruption or just incompetence? Probably all three.
    How many millions did Tamahere Corp make out of that?
    
    7 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 2:51pm
Swifty

I would hope that if the waka is proven pre-1835 that the descendants of the murdering, genocidal invaders Ngati Mutunga will abandon their claims to it.

https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/national/545630/excavating-a-historical-waka-and-the-story-that-goes-with-it

Or will they assert tikanga and their rights of conquest?

Time will tell.
19 2
Log in to Reply
Report
March 22, 2025 9:42am
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  Swifty, you say “murdering, genocidal” like it’s a bad thing.
  
  Ngāti Mutunga’s slaughter of the pacifist Moriori was particularly egregious – even to other Maori – but it was entirely in keeping with Maori culture. Notions such as utu will do that.
  
  The reality is that a Stone Age culture coming into contact with an advanced civilisation was always going to end in tears. What’s unexpected is that it wasn’t the superior culture who slaughtered the inferior culture; instead, it was the inferior culture who did it to themselves.
  
  Compare & contrast what pakeha with their guns did(n’t do) to Maori without guns vs what Maori with guns did to Maori without guns.
  
  Maybe these things are said in fora to which I don’t attend, but I’ve never heard of any iwi apologising to any other iwi for the slaughter the one visited upon the other – certainly, I’ve never heard of any compensation being paid.
  
  Maori philosophers really need to take a good, long, hard look at tikanga. It needs a lot of improvement.
  
  30 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 10:25am
  - Conservatarian
    
    The philosophers might one day do that, but their royal families are too busy exploiting white liberal guilt to care.
    
    6 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 1:05pm
- PurplePen
  
  If they’re allowed to assert Maori tikanga gives them the right of conquest then how come the British empire can’t assert British tikanga over Maori and by extension NZ parliament can assert NZ tikanga.
  
  What’s good for the goose etc.
  
  13 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 11:52am
  - Swifty
    
    The Crown is held to different standards than Maori hold themselves to.
    
    Because there’s money and control in it for them to do so.
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 3:46pm
    - NZer In Exile
      
      Plus there’s the pride of having “your people” ruling over the mere “settler” class.
      
      1 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 22, 2025 4:46pm
Steve Otto N Shore

“Donald Trump declared the end of the “war on coal,” reversing Obama-era regulations that aimed to shut down coal-fired power plants and giving a boost to the industry.”
With AI the demand for electricity will increase massively. Green energy doesn’t cut it.

https://deplorabledaily.com/donald-trump-announced-the-end-to-one-war-that-left-barack-obama-mad-as-hell/?
19 5
Log in to Reply
Report
March 22, 2025 9:44am
- artemisia
  
  Apparently New Zealand has about 16 billion tonnes of coal, lying in wait …..
  
  26 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 10:30am
  - Steve Otto N Shore
    
    Somebody said we are not allowed to use it. Must import instead.
    Man this backwater country is useless.
    
    32 4
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 10:35am
    - Paulus
      
      Using Coal for whatever is Anti Tikanga
      -but there is always a price !
      
      12 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 22, 2025 11:53am
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      Not somebody, Labour, all to appease greenies
      
      8 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 22, 2025 12:41pm
      - Steve Otto N Shore
        
        So true G.
        Anything for another vote!
        
        0 2
        Report
        March 22, 2025 5:56pm
    - JackRabbit
      
      Ardern said the coal (black rock) must be preserved for when Blackrock take over. Blackrock have the world’s largest investments in coal (black rock). It’s in their name.
      
      …coal is often referred to as “black rock” because it is a black or brownish-black sedimentary rock formed from the compaction of ancient plant matter.
      
      The Greens and Socialists are against the burning of coal, only when it can benefit the country as a whole, and they are obeying their puppeteers. If Blackrock moved into NZ and dug up the coal, not a word would be said.
      
      The Greens are hard against GMO initiatives and I applaud them for that. However when our Marxist leader forced us to take the GMO vaccine, the Greens said not a word. Neither did the unions. I must have been asleep when the Greens left parliament and joined the Wellington protest against bout mandating GMO vaccines.
      
      Suffice to say the entire Greens party and its followers are all Red-Green colour blind.
      
      When is the last time the Greens super-glued their private parts to a runway to stop jets taking off to travel hypocritically to a international forums about stopping fossil fuel use? Or chained themselves to the wheel of said planes?
      
      The Greens are guns for hire, serving their masters.
      
      5 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 22, 2025 1:05pm
    - NZer In Exile
      
      Apparently because the 2nd grade imported crap was a temporary arrangement. Would it not have been smarter to simply put an expiry date (able to be renewed) on NZ coal??? It appears sticking it to NZ coal producers and employees was top of mind.
      
      0 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 22, 2025 4:50pm
    - MCōs
      
      I think you’ll find the coal we export is a much higher grade than the low grade Indonesian coal that is required for certain applications such as the Huntley power station
      
      1 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 22, 2025 8:01pm
  - David Garrett
    
    Art: Kinda nice to know it is there when we eventually need it eh? It might be a while, but its not going anywhere
    
    16 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 10:39am
    - Maggy Wassilieff
      
      Or when our tribal rulers decide to hock it off to the most corrupt bidder.
      
      19 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 22, 2025 12:01pm
      - JackRabbit
        
        Hock off the black rock to Blackrock, just as they were going to do with Three Waters.
        
        6 1
        Report
        March 22, 2025 1:07pm
    - G the giant from Dunedin
      
      Power stations will be shut down and dismantled after Labour NZF and greenies get back in next election
      
      4 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 22, 2025 12:42pm
    - Chris Nisbet
      
      We need it now. It will make all our lives better.
      
      4 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 22, 2025 3:21pm
    - Burtland
      
      we might be able to use it as a ‘trump’ card in a resourse tradeoff
      
      1 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 22, 2025 10:46pm
  - Damocles11
    
    It would take China only 3 years to burn through the whole lot at their current rate of consumption.
    In other news, please keep your ‘carbon footprint’ as low as possible Kiwi’s so we ‘save the planet’.
    
    6 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 11:34am
  - cmm
    
    There’s enough coal to provide all of the whole of NZ’s energy and hydrocarbon needs for 300 years – allowing for doubling our population and industry. Enough to do all of:
    * generate all the electricity we need – even without solar, hydro or any other form of electricity.
    * heat all our buildings by replacing gas (coal to gas) if we don’t just use electricity.
    * fuel all our vehicles, ships and aircraft using coal to fuel conversion (Fischer-Tropsch), or use electricity to charge EVs if you must.
    * serve as a methanol feedstock for making plastics etc to serve all out manufacturing needs – as well as exporting huge amounts.
    * making all the fertilizer we need – and exporting huge amounts.
    
    Yup, all that from just the coal we are sitting on in Southland. 300 years of it.
    
    We are deliberately choosing to be poor. Makes us feel good.
    
    37 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 11:52am
    - Steve Otto N Shore
      
      Poor and welfare dependent. Keeps socialist Governments in power.
      
      20 2
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 22, 2025 12:01pm
    - NZer In Exile
      
      Co2 has pretty much done all the “evil” it can do. Adding more won’t make any significant difference so yeah dig baby dig and burn baby burn.
      
      1 1
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 22, 2025 4:53pm
Dave

I hope Sam Uffindell’s proposed equal voting rights bill goes further. The opposition to it, as expressed by Paora Stanley, makes sense in terms of NZ’s history, but no sense at all in terms of individual rights, representatives serving the entire nation, working for a prosperous future for all NZers.

https://www.nzherald.co.nz/bay-of-plenty-times/news/tauranga-mps-proposed-equal-voting-rights-bill-criticised-by-iwi-group-leaders/ZHEWAIQFZBAHPOPBLPU33XP5SQ/
17 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 22, 2025 9:58am
- cmm
  
  Geez, I’m surprised that he hasn’t been shunned out of National with a bill like that.
  
  15 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 11:54am
- Paulus
  
  Currently Tauranga has a Maori Ward which is not filled, due to illneess of the person chosen – so a new Ratepayer funded Maori election is to take place shortly.
  But this is only until the next Tauranga local election, when we all vote for or against Maori Seats, like every body else later this year.
  
  16 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 11:58am
  - pdm
    
    Tauranga crib an extra 3 years don’t they Paulus?
    
    5 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 12:46pm
Souvlaki

A good article from Simon O’Connor on the brouhaha over the potential editorial shift in NZME with the proposed board shake up.
Were it a faintly balanced ‘bugle’, I may even consider re-subscribing. https://breakingviewsnz.blogspot.com/2025/03/simon-oconnor-they-doth-protest-too-much.html
16 1
Log in to Reply
Report
March 22, 2025 10:11am
- artemisia
  
  Yes the media reports are about editorial independence. They must think we are stupid.
  
  Mr O’Connor’s article includes – What all those opposing the potential NZME board change are truly motivated by – and worried about – is maintaining a bias they already enjoy. Put another way, many are happy for editorial bias to continue so long as it is their bias.
  
  (I did not renew my Herald sub, despite being offered a buck a week to renew.)
  
  28 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 10:34am
  - Biscuit
    
    They pay you a dollar a week?
    
    Still not enough, heh.
    
    If they offer to pay me a thou every seven days I’d consider it…
    
    19 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 10:51am
    - John Loveridge
      
      You could take the buck a week and bank it – they’re not forcing you to actually read the site.
      
      8 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 22, 2025 11:13am
      - Damocles11
        
        You’s still be counted as a subscriber, thus contributing to the Herald’s survival via advertising revenue. $1 is neither here nor there in any case.
        
        4 0
        Report
        March 22, 2025 11:39am
      - Conservatarian
        
        John, you misspelled “shite”
        
        7 1
        Report
        March 22, 2025 1:07pm
    - Paulus
      
      For over 30 years or so my wife insists taking the BOP Times for the daily crosswords.
      I pay for it of course.
      But yesterday she has conceded that as she is long term unwell, she no longer can do, or wants, the Cryptic and others at all.
      So hurrah I will save $5 a day which I have wanted to do for years.
      
      16 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 22, 2025 12:03pm
      - jonno1
        
        Except if it were her wellness vs a saving of $5/day there’s no doubt you would choose wellness! As would any of us for our loved ones.
        
        4 0
        Report
        March 22, 2025 1:05pm
    - pdm
      
      Biscuit.
      Does Koha even extend to a thou every seven days – he asks?
      
      5 0
      Log in to Reply
      Report
      March 22, 2025 12:54pm
  - Damocles11
    
    Interesting that they are now paying people to subscribe. This is because they need to shop a subscriber list to advertisers. No subscribers, no advertising, no Herald. But paying subscribers to subscribe shows how desperate they now are. How can you say you are offering something of ‘premium’ quality that people value when they clearly place no value on your product?
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 11:38am
- greybeard
  
  Very good article: Michael Woods’ hypocrisy is quite breathtaking.
  
  15 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 11:13am
  - AitchW
    
    Of course it is. No one does lack of self awareness and hypocrisy quite like a sacked Labour minister!
    
    7 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 11:27am
  - kowtow
    
    Always remember ;
    
    “Rivers of filth”.
    
    8 1
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 11:38am
Steve Otto N Shore

Why are these people not vaccinated. The vaccine has been tested and improved for decades.
Having said that, I have never had this vaccine. Had both German and English as a kid so I have natural antibodies. We lived in the sticks so no Doctor just down the road.

https://www.msn.com/en-nz/news/other/fears-of-outbreak-at-dc-airport-as-more-travelers-test-positive/ar-AA1Bowo3?
7 4
Log in to Reply
Report
March 22, 2025 10:48am
Steve Otto N Shore

Tesla Derangement Syndrome and Elon Derangement Syndrome are mental conditions.

https://amgreatness.com/2025/03/21/trump-puts-takedowntesla-vandals-on-notice-says-the-sick-terrorist-thugs-should-get-20-year-sentence-in-el-salvadoran-prison/?
10 5
Log in to Reply
Report
March 22, 2025 12:09pm
- Gravelroad
  
  The only people that the Tesla vandals are affecting are the owners of the cars – and the workers in the car making factories.
  It is very strange thinking.
  Mr Musk has already got his money from the initial sale of the vehicle. What he gets is extra money from a new sale.
  There was a guy on TV recently who had his car vandalized and the words “Nazi Scum” written on it. He was Jewish.
  There seem to be a lot of the vandalized Tesla with that written on them.
  You might almost think that it was a politically motivated campaign to employ thugs to go round writing Nazi slogans on some electric cars – but that wouldn’t happen, would it?
  
  3 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 5:21pm
- RichardX
  
  Yes….You should not serve any jail time for violence at the Capitol on Jan 6 but damage a car and you deserve 20 years in a foreign prison.//
  
  0 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 8:33pm
Jack5

Can China block the sale of the two Panama Canal port companies to America’s Blackrock?

SK Hutchinson, the Hong Kong-based conglomerate controlled by Li Ka Shing, has announced a US$22.8 billion deal covering sale to Blackrock of Hutchison’s 80 per cent stake in its global ports business. Blackrock is the world’s biggest asset manager, with oversight of about $US11.5 trillion of assets (where a trillion is a thousand billion).

The assets sold by SK Hutchison include a 90 per cent stake in the Panama Ports Company, which operates Balboa and Cristóbal ports at either end of the canal, and 43 facilities in Mexico, the Netherlands, Egypt and other countries.

China has been studying the deal for ways to block it.

Li Ka Shing took over Hutchinson in 1979. It began as two of Hong Kong’s British colonial companies: Hong Kong and Whampoa Dock formed in 1863 as a port management company; and Hutchinson International, a wholesale trading company and importer of consumer products, founded in 1877.
4 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 22, 2025 12:19pm
Mike

Nasa drops plan to land first woman and first person of color on the moon
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/mar/21/nasa-drops-plan-first-woman-moon
But:

Artemis II, which will take humans to the moon and back without landing, is scheduled for April 2026. Its crew of four, three of whom have flown into space before, includes one female astronaut, Christina Koch, and an African American, Victor Glover.

LOL
2 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 22, 2025 12:48pm
- Jack5
  
  Surprising that Wokies didn’t insist on Mrs Koch changing the spelling of her husband’s surname.
  
  Wikipedia gives a phonetic pronunciation of her surname. It’s as if “Koch,” which is “cook” in German, were spelled “Cook”.
  
  Bit like Mike and Milky, related names we used to see often in Kiwiblog posts.
  
  3 2
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 3:01pm
SmokerGuy

Another story on the toxic culture of young boys:

https://www.1news.co.nz/2025/03/22/adolescence-series-throws-light-on-toxic-world-of-the-manosphere/

I have daughters and the bullying and toxic culture amongst teenage girls is absolutely shocking. Why do the media and society ignore this and focus entirely on teenage boys and ‘toxic masculinity’? I find it pretty disgusting how this subject is not given more coverage. No toxic culture should be accepted regardless of whether it’s among boys or girls.
11 1
Log in to Reply
Report
March 22, 2025 1:02pm
- Jules99
  
  I’ve seen quite a few female bullies in the workplace too.
  
  7 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 4:08pm
  - SmokerGuy
    
    I’m not saying we shouldn’t as society highlight toxic behaviour in teenage boys because of course we should. But why do we let teenage females get tormented by their peers in extremely nasty ways without really focusing on it in the same way? I don’t understand why it’s not given the same coverage.
    
    4 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 4:52pm
- NZer In Exile
  
  Toxic feminism. You know you’re soaking in it (Pam)?
  
  3 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 4:58pm
Jack5

Trump better hurry the resurrection of US shipbuilding …

Chinese shipyards are launching huge vessels capable of carrying 8,600 cars.

The South China Morning Post reports the the latest big carrier – capable of transporting 8,600 cars – was assembled and delivered in 200 days by Shanghai Waigaoqiao Shipbuilding Co. Handover was two days ago

The 200 metres long “roll on/roll off” vessel will be operated by a subsidiary of State-owned COSCO. It has a total deck area of about 75,000 square metres, roughly equivalent to 11 soccer fields.

The newspaper reports the vessel is the largest ship operated by a Chinese ship owner.

The ship’s maiden voyage will see it carry more than 5,700 vehicles from Shanghai to European ports including Bristol, Zeebrugge, and Bremerhaven.

It is a key step in the strategy of “national vehicles and national transport,” Li Gang, the Communist Party chief of the ship’s owner, China Citic Financial Leasing, says in a statement.
4 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 22, 2025 1:08pm
- kowtow
  
  Look what else SCMP reports ;
  
  ‘Former US defence researcher Zhan Hanyu joins China’s elite aerospace university
  Zhan joins university named on US Entity List because of ties to China’s military after involvement in many American research projects’
  
  Wow !
  
  https://www.scmp.com/news/china/science/article/3303089/former-us-defence-researcher-zhan-hanyu-joins-chinas-elite-aerospace-university
  
  4 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 4:11pm
- Handyman
  
  8,600 cars or 5,000 APCs and tanks.
  Ports built by China around the world (soon Cook Islands) have capability to receive such ships where these could roll off.
  
  2 1
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 4:45pm
  - MCōs
    
    So that’s more than one car for every two people in the Cooks!
    They won’t know themselves
    
    3 0
    Log in to Reply
    Report
    March 22, 2025 7:41pm
Chuck Bird

David says he does not think a social media post by Rawiri Waititi’s wife, shared by the man himself, compares David Seymour to grass being brutally mowed down amounts to incitement. Do any lawyers on this blog think it could be incitement?

Is Te Pāti Māori Preaching Violence?

Duncan Garner interviews David Seymour

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cBhB0BxDuwk
6 3
Log in to Reply
Report
March 22, 2025 2:39pm
Pineapple Lumps

Racial discrimination at AUT.

A young person I know went to the open day for new students at AUT recently.

The maori welcome was longer than the speech in English. Then they were split off in groups of males and females – not sure why?

In these smaller groups they were then spoken to by maori student support and pacific student support. Common themes:
– we have special areas for maori or pacific students
– when you come to these areas there is plenty of free food
– if you are struggling financially come and see us, we can help, we can even pay your rent.

No kiwi or nz student support, or free Kai or financial help to pay the rent!

Racism alive and well in our tertiary institutions.

This just continues to create division in our country. AUT leading the way in racial segregation in 2025.
11 2
Log in to Reply
Report
March 22, 2025 5:50pm
- NeverMindTheBollocks
  
  Maori is very wordy. Or to be more precise, because it has so few words, they need several words to express what in English a single word will cover.
  
  3 0
  Log in to Reply
  Report
  March 22, 2025 7:40pm
Tauhei Notts

I have never walked the Tongariro Crossing. Many of my friends have. They have all spoken about its grandeur.
An aged man died whilst walking The Crossing. Old men seem to do that once their lifetime has ended, that is, die.
So why, in the name of Hell, has there been a rahui placed on The Crossing.
I am getting a little ill about all this Horiculture.
6 0
Log in to Reply
Report
March 22, 2025 9:49pm

Add a Comment Cancel reply

Login to comment or vote

« Guest Post: Could Matt Doocey’s transgender stance be contributing to anxiety in our young?

A useful legislative tool for wonks »

Donations

You can now donate to Kiwiblog

Exclusive content from DPF on Patreon

Become a Patron!

Never miss a post

Email Address

Join 37.4K other subscribers

Highlights

Health Target 5 – elective treatments
Health Target 4 – Specialist appointments
Health Target 3 – Emergency Dept Waiting Times
Health Target 2 – Immunisations

Links

The 'World Happiness Report' Is a Sham
Not PC
Lee Trevino Has A Way With Words
No Minister
The importance of the chronometer
Utopia
Woman of the day
Hompaddock
MEDIAWATCH: Alt-Right Canadian Billionaire could take all our newspapers
The Daily Blog
Open mike 24/03/2025
The Standard
Briefly
Stats Chat
The Electricity Crisis: Urgent Action Needed
NZCPR
After the Great Disruption, a Great Unwinding?
Point of Order
Law, culture, and the OIA
No Right Turn
Heeadsss-Up Warning To Parents
Bob McCoskrie's McBlog
RUGBY REFORM
No Punches Pulled (Bob Jones)
A Return to a US Gilded Age?
Kiwipolitico
On the way ahead
Croaking Cassandra
Maybe allow competition?
Offsetting Behaviour
Tory Whanau may have to sell Wellington mayoralty to make ends meet
The Civilian
The Accidental Engagement
Imperator Fish
Legal Beagle: Election '23: The Special Votes
Public Address
Making this movie might have been a mistake
Liam Hehir
Why I am retiring from political blogging
Kiwi FireWalker
Angie Warren-Clark: Meet the Newbies
Dan Moskovitz